God has a predetermined destiny for each of His children. So He sets us on the correct path towards the fulfillment of that destiny. Satan’s desire is to move us away from that destiny; he is continuously warring with us to drag us off that path because he does not wish us to prosper and be filled with the joy that God has planned for us. He does not wish us to praise and glorify God for His goodness. If we fail in life, are miserable and constantly moan and curse God, Satan is happy. If God gives us a vision and we are able to follow His path to achieve it, we never cease to praise and worship Him. Since the devil knows this, his aim is to frustrate us so that we focus on the problems and not on worshipping God. This distracts our attention and shifts our focus from the main issues that we should be concentrating on.

1. Offences can distract you from pursuing the following:
   a. Purpose, Goal or Course
   b. God-given anointing and power
   c. Relationship with God
   d. Release into higher fulfillment

a. Distraction from Purpose, Goal or Cause

A person who holds an offence to heart is extremely dangerous. Apply divine wisdom in dealing with such people. When you are at variance with someone, your heart beats abnormally when you see that person. Deal with the offence in the right way and move on, even if it comes from your spouse or family member. Offence can undermine your authority, status, position, respect and can prevent you from reaching your destiny. That is why it is best to ignore the actions of people who offend you. If an offence is grave and affects you emotionally, you may react in a way that shifts your focus from your vision, totally. If you focus on the offence, your time and energy is virtually wasted on a totally useless purpose. You limit your focus when you brood over an offence. You become selfish and self-centered. Fear takes over your life and you become suspicious. Walk away from offence even when it makes you feel defeated. So what? Let people think what they like. If you give the devil attention, he will give you direction. Remember that the battle is the Lord’s. The Bible says in Isaiah 59:19 that “When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him.” Let God fight your battles.

“You have been raised to life with Christ, so set your hearts on the things that are in heaven, where Christ sits on his throne at the right-hand side of God. Keep your minds fixed on things there, not on things here on earth.” Colossians 3:1-2.

Paul said in Galatians 2:20, “It is no longer I that live but Christ that lives in me.” ‘If any man is in Christ he is a new creation.”

(2 Corinthians 5:17). Christ is in control of your life, do not allow offence to distract you, so you can achieve that goal or vision that is set before you. We need to be planted on higher ground spiritually so that we shall be able to ignore things that offend us. Let’s examine how Christ dealt with offence: the Pharisees tried on several occasions to offend Jesus but whenever they tried, Jesus ignored it or rebuked them and foiled their plans. If Jesus had allowed offences to distract him, He would never have died on the cross to fulfill His destiny or goal to save mankind. When Peter tried to dissuade him from teaching about His death and burial, Jesus promptly rebuked him saying, “Get behind Me Satan! You are an offence to me; for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of man.” But only a few verses before that, He had said to Peter that he would be the rock on which He would build His church. (Mathew 16:18,23). I wonder how many people would turn up in church ever again if their pastor ever called them “Satan!”

The disciples asked for abundant grace to forgive those who offended them. You and I need the same measure of God’s grace because it is certainly not easy to love our enemies. No human being is perfect. Everyone has flaws and that is what makes it difficult for us to forgive and love someone we know is plotting evil against us and wishes for our downfall. That is a real tough challenge, but we have to live by the commandment to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. The word of God admonishes us to “Put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind (Ephesians 4:22-23).

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DANGERS OF OFFENCE BY LAWRENCE TETTEH